Hobby-horse velocipede.



. igfilinm- B. E. LAMKIN.

HOBBY HORSE VELOGIPEDE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

1,090,550. Patented Mar. 17,1914.

3 snn'ngg-smm 1.

Attorneys B. E. LAMKIN. HOBBY HORSE VELOGIPEDE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

1,090,550. Pat ented Mar. 17, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5 [Z I L f d Z4 3 I W Z fiZZLflZY/ZZ/Z Witnesses Inventor Attorneys B. E. LAMKIN.

HOBBY HORSE VELOGIPBDB. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1913.

1,090,550. Pat ented Ma1 '.17,1914

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Attornys BERT E. LAMKIN, 0F SPRINGFIELD, ILLIN ors, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF 'ro nonnrt'r G.

' OSTEN, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. V

HOBBY-HORSE VELOCIPEDE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 21, 1913. Serial No. 780,247.

Patented Mar. 1 7,

e. a It is the object of the present invention to provide a body, preferably of the configuration of a horse or other animal, mounted for rocking movements upon a carriage or truck, and operativelyconnected with the running gear of the carriage, in order that themotion imparted to the body, or horse,

will propel the vehicle, and in order that the body, or horse, will simulate the movements of a live animal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an appliance of the nature indicated wherein the rocking body or'horse, which the occupant is adapted to ride, is connected to the crank of the rear or driving axle, by means of a pitmanfnovel means bemg provided and'bemg actuated by the body or horse, for throwing the pit-man past dead center at the ends'of its strokes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel meanswhereby the rider or occupant may convenientlysteer or guide the vehicle. Y

Itis also within the scope of the present invention to improve generally the construction and utility of devices'of that character to which the present invention relates, in order that the resent device shall be com-. paratively simp e, substantial, and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenientand eflicient in its use.

- With the foregoing general objects outlined, and with other objects in view, which will be apparent as the nature of the inven- {tion is better understood, the present in-.

vention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in 4 the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiments in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 2 1s a sectional View taken approximately on the line,22 of Fig, 1, and illustrating the carriage or truck. Fig. 3 isa side elevation, parts being broken away, and f parts being shown in section, the section being taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross section of the device, taken approximately on the line 14 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a modified form of the device. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the modified form, with the body removed, parts being shown in section, and parts being broken away.

In carrying out the present invention, .there is rovided a suitable carriage or truck, deslgnated generally by the numeral 1, and embodying a frame 2. The frame 2 is "preferably bent from a bar or length of stock 3, the bar 3 being doubled, and having its bend formed into an eye 4. The end ortions 5 of the bar 3 are offset away rom each other, or spread, in the manner of a fork, and the body 6 of the fork, or the for ward portion of the frame, is offset upwardly, so as to elevate the eye or bearing 4 above the plane of the end portions 5. The

' abutting portions 'of the bar 3 adjoining 'the eye 4 are preferably riveted" or otherwise secured together for the purpose of rigidity.

The rear or driving axle 7 is journaled through the ends of the bar 3, or through the rear end of the frame 2, and has the rear driving or propelling wheels 8 secured upon its ends. Therear axle 7 is provided with a crank 9- intermediate the side portions 5 ofthe frame 2, the crank 9 being preferably set slightly to one side of the median. plane or central line, of the frame 2.

A steering post 10 has its upper end journaled within the eye or bearin 4, andis provided at its lower end with a fork 11 in which the steering wheel 12 is journaled. The fork 11, or the; steering 'post, is provided with the, laterally projecting arms 13 for controlling the swinging movements of the steering post, as will hereinafter more fully ap ear.

K standard or pedestal 14 is earned by the central portion of the frame 2, the lower end of the'standard or pedestal 14 being prefing the bottom of the body, the pin or rod 18 being journaled through the upper end of the standard 14 to fulcrum 0r ivot the body 15 upon the standard. It wil thus be apparent that the body 15 is disposed for rocking movements upon the carriage or truck, similar to an ordinary hobby horse.

In order that the rider or occupant of the body 15 may conveniently control the steering post 10, flexible actuating cords 19 are attached to the respective arms 13, and extend to the lower portion of the standard 14, the standard 14 being provided with upper and lower guides or eyes 20 through Which the cords 19 are threaded upwardly. The body 15 is provided with the apertures 21 in its sides slightly in advance of the fulcrum pin 18, the free ends of the cords 19 being passed outwardly through the apertures 21 and having stirrups 22 attached thereto. The occupant or rider seated upon the saddle or seat 16 may conveniently insert his feet into the stirrups 22, and by properly moving the stirrups up and down, the steering post 10 may be turned at will, so as to steer or guide the device over the surface traversed. The actuating cords 19 passing through the apertures 21 adjoining the fulcrum point of the body, willeliminate any great variation in the position of the stirrups with respect te'the body 15 under the varying conditions. .It is also to be understood, that the actuating cords 19 may be. controlled by hand, if so desired, although the head of the horse 15 is preferably equipped with a halter having reins to be held in the hand or hands, while the feet are engaged to the st-irrups 22 to steer the device.

The rear portion of the body 15 is operatively connected with the rear running gear of the carriage or truck, a cross pin or rod 23 being engaged through the sides of the body 15 adjoining the rear end, or rear'legs of the body, and a pitman or connecting rod 24 being engaged loosely at its upper end with the pin 23, and being engaged at its lower end to the crank 9. In this manner, the rocking motion of the body 15 will impart a rotatory motion to the rear driving axle, in order that the device may be conveniently propelled byethe rocking r'notion imparted to the body or horse 15.

Ini'order to throw the pitman or connect,- ingrod 24 be 0nd dead center at the respective ends of its strokes, there has been pro- 7 vided the following mechanism: The stand ard 14 is providedintermediate its ends with an opening 25 extendingv from its front side to its rear side, and a rocking shaft 26 is journaled through the standard 14 within the opening 25, and is provided at one end with a crank 27. A sheave or pulley 29 is secured upon the shaft 26 within the opening its rear end, or bet-ween the rear legs, while the forward end of the cord 30 is attached to a similar pin 32 terminally secured to the sides of the body 15 adjoining its forward end, or bet-ween the front legs. The front end of the cord 30 is preferably adjustably connected with the respective cross pin and to this end, a threaded rod 33 is attached to theforward end of the cord 30, and bears a nut 34, a hook 35 engaging the pin 32- and loosely embracing the rod 33 under the nut- 34, so that when the nut is tightened, the slack will be taken out of the cord 30, so as to hold the cord taut.

A supplemental or secondary pitman or connecting rod 36 is connected with the crank 27 and is operatively. connected with the main or primary pitman 24. The pitman 36 embodies a tubular casing 37 having the upper and lower longitudinal slots 33 through Which the pitman 24 passes. The pitman 24 carries pins or lugs 39 above and below the casing 37, in order to maintain the Casing in position upon the pitman 24, and to permit the casing 25, or the pitman 36, to oscillate or move sufliciently relative to the pit-man 24. A coiled wire spring 49 is housed within each end portion of the easing 37-, the remote ends of the springs 40 seating against the ends of the casing 37, which are closed, and the adjoining ends of the springs seating against the opposite edges of the pitman 24. The tension of one spring 40 equalizes or neutralizes the tension of the other spring, under normal conditions, that is, when the pitman 24 is intermediate its two dead centers. The pitman 36 furth'erincludes a threaded rod or stem 41 engaging the respective end of the casing 37 and pivotally or loosely engaging the crank 27. It-willbe evidentthat the stem 41 and tubular casing 37 may be adjusted relative to eachother, in order to properly position the casing 37 with respect to the main pitman 24, so that the proper operation Will'ensue. After the extensible or adjust able pitman 36 has been set and applied to the device, the pitman 24 in passing through the casing 37 will lock the said casing from rotating with respect to the stem 41, the said stem being so connected with the crank 27,

I the stirrups 22 to control the steering post or steering wheel, as above described. The rider or occupant then imparts a rocking or oscillatory movement to the body or horse 15, which will transmit arotatory movement to the rear driving axle, so as to propel the device. The body or horse 15 being rocked and propelled, will somewhat simulate the movements of a live animal, to the enjoyment of the rider.

One of the cardinal or salient features of the present invention resides in the fact that when the actuating pitman'24 reaches its points of dead center, the same will be thrown beyond dead center, in order that the device may not become locked. This result is accomplished in. the following manner: Supposing the rear portion of the body 15 to be elevated, as seen inFig. 1, when the rear portion of the body is depressed, the pitman 24 will move downwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. During the depression or descent of the rear portion of the body 15, thecord 30 will have been moved forwardly, with respect to the standard 14, and consequently, the rocking shaft rearwardly.

26 will have been turned clockwise, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, so as to throw the crank 27 The crank 27 being thrown rearwardly will force the forward spring 40 against the pitman 24, the-tension of the forward spring serving to throw the pitman 24 beyond dead center at the lower end of its downward stroke. The forward end of the body 15 is then depressed, the rear portion of the body rising, and the pitman 24 moving upwardly. When the rear ortion of the body 15 is moved ppwardly, t e cord 30 will be drawn rearwardly, and the crank 2-7 will be thrown forwardly, so as to press the rear spring 40 against the pitman 24, and consequently, the tension created by the rearspring 40, will throw'thepitman 24 beyond dead center at the upper end of its stroke. Thus, asthe body 15 is oscillated or rocked, there will be no liability for the device to become locked, at the two points of dead center, and a continuous and easy movement of the device is therefore accomplished. The present device will operate lightly and easily, so as to obtain a comparatively high velocity or speed, with a minimum expenditure of force, on the part of the operator or occupant.

In the variation illustrated in Figs. 5 and (5, the pin 18 is secured rigidly to the body 15 so as to oscillate therewit the pin 18 bei'ng'in the form of a rock shaft, and a segmental gear 30 is keyed or secured to the pin or rock shaft 18 and intermeshes with a pinion 29 keyed or secured on the .rock shaft 26. Thus, the rock shaft 26 is made to oscillate with the body 15 in a positive manner, and in a manner more simple than that above described. In this form, the standard 14 is provided with an opening 25 extending from the upper end of the standard to a point below the pinion 29, or the standard 14 may be of two parts, in order to permit the gears 29 and 30 to operate within the standard. Another alteration depicted in Figs. 5 and 6, resides in the driving gear employed. In this form, there is prov1ded a shaft 42 journaled through the side members 5 in advance of the rear axle 7, the shaft 42 being provided with a crank 9' with which the pitman 24 is connected, and a relatively large spur gear 43 being keyed or secured upon the shaft 42 and intermeshing with a pinion or relatively small spur gear 44 keyed or secured upon the rear axle 7 In this manner, a relatively slow oscillation of the body 15 will impart a relatively high velocity to the rear axle, in order that the velocipede may be driven at a greater speed, or with greater ease. Otherwise, the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, is the same as that illustrated in the other figures, it being understood that the changes lllustratedin Figs. 5 and 6, as well as others, may be utilized in the present device, without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. Havmg thus described the invention, what l's'claimed as new is 1. In a device of the character described, a wheel mounted carriage embodying a drivmg crank, a body mounted for rockilrg movements upon the carriage, a pitman connecting the said body and crank, and means operated by the said body and operatively connected to the said pitman for throwing the same beyond its points of dead center.

2. In a device of the character described, a wheel mounted carriage including a driving crank, a body mounted for rocking.

movements upon the carriage, a pitman connecting the body and crank, a reciprocatory member engaging the said pitman, and means operatively connecting the body and the said reciprocatory member for throwing the pitman past dead center at the ends of its strokes.

3. In a device of the character described, a wheel mounted carriage including a driving crank, a rocking body mounted on the carriage, a pitman connecting the body and crank, a reciprocatory member, springs carriedby the said member and engaging opposite portions of the pitman, and means operatively connecting the body'and reciprocatory-member for forcing the respective springs against the pitman at the ends of the strokes ofthe pitman. 4. In a device of the character described, a Wheel mounted carriage includinga drivingcrank, a rocking body carried by the carriage, a pitman connecting the body and crank, a tubular casing having slots through which the pitman passes, springs confined within the end portions of the casing and engaging opposite portions of the pitman, and means operatively connecting the body and casing for pressing the respective springs against the pitman at' the ends of the' strokes of the itman.

5. In a device 0 the character described, a Wheel mounted carriage, including a driving crank, a rocking body mounted on the carriage, a iitman connecting the body and crank, a rocking shaft carried by the cars riage and operatively connected with the body to rock therewith, and means operatively connecting the said shaft and the pitman to throw the itman beyond dead center at the ends of its strokes. I

6. In a device of the character described, a Wheel mounted carriage including a driving crank, a rocking body mounted on the carriage, a pitman connecting the body and crank, a rocking shaft carried by the carriage and operativelyv connected with the body to rock therewith, said rocking shaft having a crank, and a secondary pitman connected with the last mentioned crank and engaging the aforesaid pitman to'throw the same beyond dead center at the ends of its strokes.

7. In a device of the character described, 7 a wheel mounted carriage including a driving crank, a rocking body mounted on the carriage, a pitman connecting the body and crank, a rock shaft carried by the carriage and operatively connected with the body to rock therewith, the rock shaft having a crank, a secondary pitman connected with the last mentioned crank, and springscarried by the secondary itman and engaging opposite portions of the aforesaid pitman. 8. In a 'device of the character described, a wheel mounted carriage including a driving crank, a rocking body mounted on the carriage, a pitman connecting the body and crank, a rock shaftcarried by the carriage and operatively connected with the body to rock therewith, the rock shaft having a crank, a secondary pitman including a tubular, casing and a stem secured to one end thereof, the stem being connected with the last mentioned crank, and the casing having slots through which the first mentioned pitman passes, the first mentioned pitman having lugs directly above and below the said casing, and springs housed within the end portions of the casing and engagingopposite portions of the first mentioned pitman. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

S. 'ALL NN TROXELL, ALFRED BOUTWELL. 

